As temperatures soar, calls are being made by parents in Newcastle Emlyn for boys to be allowed to wear shorts to school.

An online petition is already gathering pace within two days of going live and heading towards the 400 signatures mark.

Mum Jenny Underwood started the petition to have the school uniform policy changed at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn after her 14-year-old son Rhys Evans was put in an isolation class along with another five pupils who had worn shorts during hot weather.

She and other parents - including Angela Ward, whose son Lui is in the same class as Rhys and was also placed in isolation - argue if girls can wear skirts then boys should be allowed to wear shorts in periods of hot weather.

Jenny, of Cwm-cou, said the matter escalated further when Rhys then intended go to school on Monday wearing shorts again.

She added: “He was going to school in shorts again on Monday due to his leg being sliced to bits and bandaged at the knee following a bike accident on Friday.

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“I had a dispute with the school again over the wearing of shorts so didn’t send him.

“I then needed a doctor’s note for him.

“Aside from his injury, on any hot day or spell of hot weather like we have now, all we want is for boys to have the choice to wear shorts.

She added: “As mums to boys who recently received isolation as punishment for breaking the uniform policy by wearing plain black shorts to school on a hot day, myself and Angela are trying to get the uniform policy changed to include shorts for boys in the summer months.”

Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn (Image: Google)

They are meeting with governors on Thursday to discuss the uniform policy.

Angela, from Capel Iwan said: “Lui was put in isolation as soon as he arrived at school because he was in shorts.

“All children should have the same choice, trousers, skirts, shorts, no matter what gender.

“I can’t see the school has any justification for not changing its policy. I think shorts in keeping with the school’s uniform colours are acceptable.

“I have lodged a complaint with the school and we now have this meeting with the governors.”